# Refractive Lens Replacement

Source page: https://www.kudretgozistanbul.com/en/treatments/refractive-lens-replacement

**Author:** Opr. Dr. Osman Şenbilgin | **Medical Approval:** Op. Dr. Deniz Oygar Baylançiçek | **Date:** 2026-09-16

> **Summary:** Refractive (clear) lens exchange removes the eye's natural lens and replaces it with a thin artificial lens whose power is chosen to free you from glasses. It corrects myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, is an option when laser treatment is not suitable, and means a cataract can never develop later.

## Quick Facts
- **Operation Duration:** 15-20 minutes per eye
- **Recovery Time:** Back to daily life in 3-4 days, full recovery in 3-4 weeks
- **Anaesthesia Type:** Topical eye drops (light sedation if needed)
- **Stitches:** None, except in special cases

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## What Is Refractive Lens Exchange?
The natural lens is removed and a thin lens is placed in its place, set to a power that removes the need for glasses. The lens stays safely in the eye for life, needs no care, is not taken out and cannot be felt.

## Who Is It For?
Laser treatment (iLASIK, LASEK, PRK) is the most preferred correction, but it requires a certain age, an ideal corneal thickness and map, and a prescription within a certain range. Lens exchange is described as one of the safest, permanent and stable alternatives for eyes where laser is not ideal, and for people who do not want glasses or contact lenses.

**Usually suitable:**
- Age 40 or over.
- Want to be free of reading glasses.
- Early cataract present.
- Unhappy with glasses or contact lenses.
- Good retina and general eye health.
- Prefer to avoid cataract surgery later.

**Needs a closer look:**
- Under 40.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Uncontrolled diabetes.
- Advanced glaucoma or retinal disease.
- Active eye infection.

## Lens Types

| Lens type | How it works | Who it suits | Advantages | Considerations |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Monofocal** | Single focus, usually far | Cataract patients who accept reading glasses | Sharpest distance vision, least night glare, most affordable | Reading glasses still needed, limited intermediate vision |
| **Monofocal Toric** | Monofocal that also corrects astigmatism | Cataract patients with significant astigmatism | Corrects astigmatism in one go | Reading glasses still needed, precise positioning required |
| **Trifocal (Multifocal)** | Far, intermediate and near focus | Those wanting freedom from glasses who do little night driving | Glasses-free at every distance | Halos at night in the first 6 months, adaptation time |
| **Trifocal (Multifocal) Toric** | Trifocal that also corrects astigmatism | People with astigmatism who want no glasses | Complete solution in one operation | Halos at night in the first 6 months, extra charge for astigmatism correction |
| **EDOF** | Extended depth of focus far to intermediate; near focus around 40 cm instead of 30 cm (about 10 cm further than a trifocal) | Previous laser surgery, wanting very sharp distance vision, or long night driving | Very sharp far and intermediate, fewer halos than trifocal | Reading glasses may be needed for very small print |

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## Prices

All packages include: accommodation (4 nights), three meals a day, round-trip airport transfers, doctor examination, all eye tests, lenses and operation, surgery control, pay on-site. Package prices do not change with your prescription; for astigmatism a toric lens option is available at a separate price. (The body text separately says prices vary with the underlying cause and the lens chosen.)

| Lens | Price (Per Eye) | Focus |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Alcon Clareon Monofocal** | £850 | Distance; glasses needed for reading |
| **Alcon Clareon PanOptix Multifocal** | £1,275 | Distance, intermediate and near |
| **Alcon Clareon Vivity** | £1,425 | EDOF (extended depth of focus) |
| **Johnson & Johnson Odyssey Multifocal** (most chosen) | £1,450 | Distance, intermediate and near |
| **Alcon Clareon PanOptix Pro Multifocal** | £1,500 | Distance, intermediate and near |
| **Johnson & Johnson PureSee** (most chosen) | £1,600 | EDOF (extended depth of focus) |
| **Johnson & Johnson Odyssey Toric Multifocal** | £1,650 | Distance, intermediate and near, with astigmatism |

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## The Treatment Journey

### 1. Before Treatment
- Vision and glasses prescription are assessed.
- A biometry measurement, taken in minutes after numbing drops, sets the lens power.
- Blood thinners such as aspirin or coumadin: talk to your doctor; do not stop on your own.
- A light breakfast or meal is fine.

### 2. During Treatment
- Anaesthetic drops, light sedation if needed; you are awake and may feel only slight touching.
- After sterilisation and a lid holder, a small corneal incision is made, the natural lens is removed with the phaco device and the clear lens is placed.
- About 15-20 minutes per eye; no stitches except in special cases.

### 3. After Treatment
- Rest in your room, home after a few hours; the eye stays closed that day. Pain and stinging are normal; painkillers are allowed.
- Follow-up 1 day after surgery, when drops are explained.
- Redness, watering and light sensitivity in the first days; blurred or wavy vision may last a few weeks.
- Do not rub the eyes; keep water and soap out in the first days.
- If some astigmatism, myopia or hyperopia remains, a second session of excimer laser is possible after corneal topography and pachymetry.

## Risks
Serious complications are rare. Possible risks:
- Infection.
- Raised eye pressure.
- Posterior capsule opacification (a membrane behind the lens months or years later), cleared with a YAG laser in 1-2 minutes.
- Rarely, retinal detachment (higher risk in high myopia).

Cataract cannot develop later because the natural lens is removed. Laser surgery after lens exchange is safe.

## Understanding Your Prescription
A prescription is usually valid for two years.
- **Sphere (SPH):** Minus (−) means difficulty seeing far, plus (+) difficulty seeing near.
- **Cylinder (CYL):** Astigmatism correction; blank means none.
- **Axis:** Direction of astigmatism, between 0 and 180 degrees.
- **Addition (ADD):** Extra near power, usually needed after 40.
- **Prism:** Only for double vision or squint.

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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

**Q: What is refractive lens exchange?**
A: Removing the eye's natural lens and replacing it with a thin lens, correcting myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism and removing the need for glasses.

**Q: Who can have it?**
A: People who do not want glasses or contact lenses and are not suitable for excimer laser, including those with myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism.

**Q: Is there a cataract risk afterwards?**
A: No, because the natural lens is removed. A membrane may form behind the lens months or years later, cleared with a YAG laser in 1-2 minutes.

**Q: Can I have laser surgery after lens exchange?**
A: Yes, there is no harm in it.

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## References
- Clear Lens Extraction, EyeWiki (AAO)
- Intraocular Lenses (IOL) for Cataract Surgery, AAO
- Laser eye surgery and lens surgery, NHS